Three-dimensional screen for gaming device

ABSTRACT

A gaming device may comprise various components, including a main cabinet, a game controller, and a display assembly. The display assembly may be releasably coupled to the game cabinet so that the display assembly may be quickly removed prior to replacement and/or maintenance operations. The display assembly may include a display panel and a cover sheet positioned over the display panel. The cover sheet may be a glass cover sheet and may define a raised perimeter region that surrounds an interior portion of the cover sheet. A light pipe may be disposed below the raised perimeter region and may diffuse light emitted by the display panel and/or a backlight.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/161,831,filed Mar. 16, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference as if fully disclosed herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to electronic gaming machinesand, more particularly, to a display for an electronic gaming machine.

BACKGROUND

Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) or gaming devices may be used toprovide a variety of wagering games such as slot games, video pokergames, video blackjack games, roulette games, video bingo games, kenogames, and other types of games that are frequently offered at casinosand other locations. Play on EGMs typically involves a playerestablishing a credit balance by inputting money, or another form ofmonetary credit, and placing a wager from the credit balance on one ormore outcomes of an instance (or single play) of a primary or base game.In some cases, a player may qualify for a special mode of the base game,a secondary game, or a bonus round of the base game by attaining acertain winning combination or triggering event in, or related to, thebase game, or after the player is randomly awarded the special mode,secondary game, or bonus round. In the special mode, secondary game, orbonus round, the player is given an opportunity to win extra gamecredits, game tokens, or other forms of payout. In the case of “gamecredits” that are awarded during play, the game credits are typicallyadded to a credit meter total on the EGM and may be provided to theplayer upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wants to“cash out.”

EGMs may include a display, or multiple displays, on which to displaygraphics or animations to a player. The display may present informationconcerning the particular wagering game being played. Informationprovided on the display may be controlled, or otherwise affected, by aplayer input. In this way, the player may control some aspect of thewagering game including, for example, interacting with graphicalelements, making a wager, and so on. Displays may receive a user input(e.g., a touch input) and/or may be operatively coupled to othermechanisms for receiving a player input (e.g., a button or switch).

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts insimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended to be used asan aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Disclosed herein are gaming devices. The gaming devices may include amain cabinet, a game controller positioned within the main cabinet, anda display assembly coupled to the main cabinet.

In accordance with the provided disclosure, a gaming device may comprisea main cabinet, a game controller positioned in the main cabinet andconfigured to control a game provided at the gaming device, and adisplay assembly coupled to the main cabinet. The display assembly maycomprise a display panel configured to provide graphical outputscorresponding to the game and a glass cover sheet extending over thedisplay panel. The glass cover sheet may define an interior regiondisposed above the display panel and a raised perimeter region disposedabove a perimeter region of the display panel and at least partiallysurrounding the interior region, the raised perimeter region beingraised relative to the interior region.

In some implementations, the game controller may be configured to drivethe perimeter region of the display panel separately from remainingportions of the display panel to selectively illuminate the raisedperimeter region of the glass cover sheet.

The display assembly may further comprise a light pipe disposedunderneath the raised perimeter region, the light pipe configured todiffuse light within the raised perimeter region, and a gasketpositioned between the light pipe and the glass cover sheet. The displaypanel may define a first planar display region and a second planardisplay region offset from the first planar display region by an offsetangle. The offset angle may be a first offset angle. The displayassembly may further define a third planar display region offset fromthe first planar display region by a second offset angle. The firstplanar display region may be substantially perpendicular with respect toa mounting surface of the main cabinet.

In some cases, the display assembly may further comprise a base layer, abacklight positioned on the base layer, a light pipe positioned on thedisplay panel, and a gasket positioned between the light pipe and theglass cover sheet. The graphical outputs provided by the display panelmay comprise a first graphical output provided to the perimeter regionof the display panel, the first graphical output underneath the raisedperimeter region of the glass cover sheet, and a second graphical outputprovided to a remaining portion of the display panel, the secondgraphical output underneath the interior region of the glass coversheet. The display assembly may further comprise a touch sensorconfigured to detect an input force applied to the glass cover sheet.

In accordance with the provided disclosure, a gaming device may comprisea housing, a display assembly comprising a display panel, a glass coversheet extending over the display panel and defining a raised perimeterregion surrounding the glass cover sheet, a display assembly housing atleast partially surrounding the display panel, a light pipe disposedunderneath the raised perimeter region, the light pipe configured todiffuse light within the raised perimeter region, and a gasketpositioned between the light pipe and the glass cover sheet.

In some examples, the display panel may define a first planar displayregion, a second planar display region offset from the first planardisplay region by a first offset angle, and a third planar displayregion offset from the first planar display region by a second offsetangle. Each of the first planar display region, the second planardisplay region, and the third planar display region may be at leastpartially defined by the raised perimeter region of the glass coversheet.

A gaming device may additionally comprise a lock and a biasing elementconfigured to provide a force to separate the display assembly from thehousing when the lock is in an unlocked position. The raised perimeterregion may increase a strength of the glass cover sheet.

In some implementations, the gaming device may further comprise a gamecontroller positioned within the housing. The game controller may beconfigured to cause the display panel to produce a first graphicaloutput corresponding to the raised perimeter region and cause thedisplay panel to produce a second graphical output corresponding to aninterior region. The first graphical output may correspond to edgelighting and the second graphical output may correspond to a gamecontrolled by the game controller.

In accordance with the provided disclosure, a display assembly may beconfigured to be coupled with a main cabinet of a gaming device. Thedisplay assembly may comprise a display panel configured to providegraphical outputs, a cover sheet extending over the display panel anddefining a raised perimeter region disposed above a perimeter region ofthe display panel, and a light pipe disposed underneath the raisedperimeter region, the light pipe configured to diffuse light within theraised perimeter region.

In some examples, the display panel may define a first planar displayregion configured to provide a first graphical output and a secondplanar display region configured to provide a second graphical output,the second planar display region offset from the first planar displayregion by an offset angle. The cover sheet may be a glass cover sheet.The first graphical output may be separately controllable from thesecond graphical output. The display assembly may further comprise agasket positioned between the light pipe and the cover sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to representative examples illustrated in theaccompanying figures. It should be understood that the followingdescriptions are not intended to limit the examples to one or morepreferred examples. To the contrary, they are intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included withinthe spirit and scope of the described examples as defined by theappended claims. Similar reference numbers have been used, wherepossible, to designate similar features that are common between thefigures.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing several electronic gamingmachines (EGMs) networked with various gaming related servers.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing various functional elements of anexemplary EGM.

FIG. 2B depicts a casino gaming environment according to some examples.

FIG. 2C is a diagram that shows examples of components of a system forproviding networked/online gaming according to some aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an example gaming device that includes a displaypanel with two planar display regions.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an example gaming device that includes a displaypanel with three planar display regions.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an alternative example of a gaming device withthree planar display regions.

FIG. 6 depicts an example gaming device with four planar displayregions.

FIG. 7A depicts an example gaming device that includes a display panelwith multiple planar display regions and a raised perimeter region.

FIG. 7B depicts the display panel of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C depicts a cross-sectional view of the display panel shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, taken through section line A-A of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8 depicts an example gaming device depicting an example userinterface (UI) that includes gameplay elements and edge lightingelements.

FIG. 9A depicts an example display assembly and an example main cabinetin a detached state.

FIG. 9B depicts the example display assembly and the example maincabinet of FIG. 9A in an attached state.

The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures isgenerally used to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements andto facilitate legibility of the figures. Additionally, it should beunderstood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative orabsolute) of the various figures and elements (and collections andgroupings thereof), and the boundaries, separations, and positionalrelationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanyingfigures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodimentsdescribed herein, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated toscale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirementfor an illustrated example to the exclusion of examples described withreference thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure generally includes various exampleimplementations related to display assemblies and gaming devices, alongwith associated components. The display assemblies may include a displaypanel which may display content related to a game performed by thegaming device or associated components (e.g., a game controller). Thedisplay assemblies and associated gaming devices may optionally includequick connect mechanisms configured to attach or detach the displayassemblies from the associated gaming devices. Additionally oralternatively, the display assemblies may include one or more componentsfor sensing touch or force inputs on a display surface.

As discussed herein, a display assembly may include a display panel thatincludes a number of different planar display regions. Each planardisplay region may be presented at an offset angle with respect toneighboring planar display regions. Due to the planar display regionsbeing presented at different offset angles, user interface elementsdisplayed on a graphical user interface of each respective planardisplay region may be presented to a player of the gaming device atdifferent angles (e.g., different viewing angles). For example, a firstplanar display region may be positioned so as to present information atan approximately 90° angle with respect to a neighboring planar displayregion. A transition between the first planar display region and thesecond planar display region may define a bent transition region and maybe portrayed as a dark (e.g., black) region to visually distinguishneighboring planar display regions. The bent transition region may bedepicted as a bright (e.g., white) region and/or may be depicted in anycolor/brightness to distinguish the bent transition region fromneighboring planar display regions. Any number of “bends” or differentplanar display regions may be provided. In some examples, two planardisplay regions are provided at two different viewing positions and/orviewing angles to simulate a gaming device with two separate displays.In additional or alternate examples, three planar display regions areprovided to simulate a gaming device with three separate displays,though the number of planar display regions is not limited to anyparticular number.

Each different planar display region may correspond to differentgraphical outputs of a game performed by the gaming device and/or gamecontroller. In some examples, a bottom planar display region (e.g., adisplay region nearest the base of the gaming device) displays a userinterface (UI) designed to display graphical elements and to receive auser input. For example, in a keno-type game, the bottom planar displayregion displays a keno card and permits a user selection thereof. Inadditional or alternative examples, the bottom planar display regiondisplays a menu that includes a number of selectable options.Additionally or alternatively, the bottom planar display region is, oris a part of, a virtual button deck that includes multiple bet options.

In some implementations, a second planar display region is coupled tothe bottom planar display region and is offset from the bottom planardisplay region by an offset angle. In such cases, the second planardisplay region displays graphics or animations showing certain functionsof gameplay, as discussed herein. Continuing the above example of akeno-type game, the second planar display region displays drawinganimations and/or representations of drawn markers. While particularexamples are discussed with respect to a UI, these are merelyexplanatory and any UI may be used in accordance with the provideddisclosure.

Incorporating multiple planar display regions at different angles to aplayer may have the benefit of reducing costs associated with multiple,discrete displays. For example, a gaming device with multiple displayshas the benefit of providing an intuitive user experience, as eachdisplay displays different information or information categories atdifferent viewing angles. However, multiple displays may be costly, mayrequire complex wiring, or may be prone to multiple points of failure. Asingle display panel with multiple distinct display regions may providethe benefits of a multi-display gaming device without the added costs ofmultiple discrete displays.

Aspects of the provided disclosure further relate to integrated edgelighting for a display assembly. As discussed herein, edge lighting mayrefer to light surrounding the perimeter of a display panel, a planardisplay region, or a set of planar display regions. For example, aninterior region of a display panel displays various UI elements thatinclude game boards, graphics, and/or animations. Edge light maysurround these UI elements and may be used to provide emphasis, throughthe use of light, to the perimeter and/or edge region of the displaypanel. In some cases, the edge lighting consists of a set number ofpixels (e.g., 100 pixels) in a perimeter region of the display panelthat at least partially surrounds the interior region. In additional oralternative cases, a light pipe or diffuser is provided over theperimeter region of the display panel to bend and/or blur the edgelighting.

In some examples, edge lighting incorporates radiating or emanatingeffects such as, for example, pixels which change color and/orbrightness to simulate a movement or animation. Continuing the aboveexample, the edge lighting is controlled by the same controller (e.g., agame controller) which controls the UI of an interior region of thedisplay panel. In this way, visual emphasis may be brought to a gamedevice which may attract a player's attention. Further, producing edgelighting using the display panel obviates the need for separate,dedicated edge-lighting hardware.

As described herein, the display assembly may include a glass coversheet that extends over the display regions defined by the displaypanel. Various portions of the glass cover sheet may be raised ordepressed compared to other portions. In some cases, a perimeter portionof the glass cover sheet, corresponding to the perimeter region of thedisplay panel, is raised. The perimeter portion of the glass cover sheetmay be raised so as to surround an interior region of the glass coversheet. The raised perimeter portion may be rolled or may otherwise beextended to have a greater height than the interior region of the glasscover sheet. Since the perimeter portion of the glass cover sheet may beraised, there may be additional room for optical components underneaththis portion of the glass cover sheet, and additional elements, such asa light pipe and/or diffuser, may be positioned underneath the perimeterportion. As discussed herein, the light pipe and/or diffuser may soften,bend, and/or blur light provided by the perimeter region of the display,as described above.

In some cases, a gasket (e.g., a rubber gasket) is provided between theglass cover sheet and the light pipe and/or diffuser to protect the edgeof the glass cover sheet from impacts by, for example, players. Inadditional or alternative cases, the raised perimeter portion of theglass cover sheet increases a structural stability of the entire glasscover sheet. For example, in some cases a player may become frustratedand may strike or otherwise apply a force to the glass cover sheet. Byincreasing a thickness of the raised perimeter portion, a strength ofthe glass cover sheet may result. In this way, the raised perimeterportion may strengthen the glass cover sheet.

In some cases, a display assembly has features and elements designed forremoval from a game cabinet of a gaming device. As provided herein, agaming device may include both a display assembly and a game cabinet.The display assembly may include a display housing, a display, and othercomponents associated with a display and/or functions of a gamingdevice. The game cabinet may include a game controller, a power supply,and/or other components of a gaming device/EGM as discussed herein.During the course of many successive operations on a gaming device,certain components may wear out or may otherwise need to be upgradedand/or replaced. In traditional systems with fully integrated displaysand game cabinets, replacing specific components may be difficult andmay require significant time and effort. This may lead to a loss inrevenue, as a non-operational gaming device does not run any games andmay waste valuable floor space.

The present disclosure considers embodiments where a display assemblyand a game cabinet are modular and/or detachable. In some cases, adisplay assembly comprises an electrical connector and an attachmentmechanism. The electrical connector may be a spring-based electricalsystem comprising two different components, with respective componentspositioned on the game cabinet and the display assembly. For example,the display assembly comprises an electrical connector comprised of aconductive material. The electrical connector may include a plunger, abarrel, and a spring. The spring may be coupled to the barrel and maymove between a compressed state and an un-compressed state with respectto the barrel. The spring may impart a force on a counterpart electricalconnector on, for example, the game cabinet when in an installed state.In this way, the electrical connector may impart a force to a receivingconnector, establishing an electrical connection between the displayassembly and the game cabinet. This arrangement may also reduce largeamounts of internal wiring which may be difficult to repair and mayintroduce multiple points of failure.

Multiple parts of an attachment mechanism may additionally be providedon both of the display assembly and the game cabinet. For example, thedisplay assembly comprises multiple paddles coupled to a rear portionthereof. When the display assembly is installed with the game cabinet,internal cables within the game cabinet may couple with the paddles onthe display assembly, locking the game cabinet with the displayassembly. The cables within the game cabinet may be loosened in responseto an unlocking operation (e.g., unlocking a lock or squeezing atrigger) which may fully or partially decouple the display assembly fromthe game cabinet. In some cases, the cables causes a force to forciblyseparate the display assembly from the game cabinet. The displayassembly may additionally be provided with grips so that an operator maygrasp the display assembly for removal or installation. In some cases,the grips are positioned in the same location as the paddle assembliesand are formed from a structure of the paddle assemblies. In this way,replacement of, for example, a malfunctioning display assembly (or anydisplay assembly being replaced) may be made quickly and with minimal,or no, required tools.

As described herein, the provided disclosure generally providessolutions to one or more technical problems which may be present intraditional systems. For example, as described above, multiple displayshave the benefit of providing a large amount of graphical information toa user. In some cases, the multiple displays provide respectivegraphical information at different viewing angles, so at to increase auser's immersion with an associated apparatus. However, multipledisplays may increase the cost, complexity, assembly requirements,and/or maintenance requirements of a system. In some cases, eachadditional, discrete display requires the purchase of the additionaldisplay. Further, multiple, discrete displays may require more complexwiring, interconnections, and internal components to connect and/orharmonize the multiple displays. Yet further, the assembly andmaintenance efforts associated with installing, replacing, and fixingmultiple displays and components associated with the multiple displaysmay require a large amount of time and/or effort, due to the complexityof the interconnected systems, which may result in costly downtime ofthe apparatus.

To rectify these issues, and other associated issues, the presentdisclosure discusses a single display separated into multiple displayregions and associated components. As a single display may be bought,installed, and/or maintained as a single unit, the benefits of providingmultiple viewing angles to a user may be maintained while the drawbacksof multiple components, as described above, may be avoided. For example,a single display is quickly installed, contains integrated electricalcomponents, and is otherwise treated as a single unit. Other associatedfeatures, such as integrating lighting into a display assembly andproviding connect/disconnect structures, may further reduce cost and/orcomplexity of a game cabinet.

FIG. 1 illustrates several different models of EGMs which may benetworked to various gaming related servers. Shown is a system 100 in agaming environment that includes one or more server computers 102 (e.g.,slot servers of a casino) that are in communication, via acommunications network, with one or more gaming devices 104A-104X (EGMs,slots, video poker, bingo machines, etc.) that may implement one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. The gaming devices 104A-104X mayalternatively be portable and/or remote gaming devices such as, but notlimited to, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or a game console. Gamingdevices 104A-104X may utilize specialized software and/or hardware toform non-generic, particular machines or apparatuses that comply withregulatory requirements regarding devices used for wagering or games ofchance that provide monetary awards.

Communication between the gaming devices 104A-104X and the servercomputers 102, and among the gaming devices 104A-104X, may be direct orindirect using one or more communication protocols. As an example,gaming devices 104A-104X and the server computers 102 may communicateover one or more communication networks, such as over the Internetthrough a website maintained by a computer on a remote server or over anonline data network including commercial online service providers,Internet service providers (ISPs), private networks (e.g., local areanetworks (LANs) and enterprise networks), and the like (e.g., wide areanetworks). The communication networks could allow gaming devices104A-104X to communicate with one another and/or the server computers102 using a variety of communication-based technologies, such asradio-frequency (RF) (e.g., wireless fidelity (WiFi®) and Bluetooth®),cable TV, satellite links, and so on.

In some implementations, server computers 102 may not be necessaryand/or preferred. For example, in one or more implementations, astand-alone gaming device such as gaming device 104A, gaming device 104Bor any of the other gaming devices 104C-104X may implement one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. However, it is typical to findmultiple EGMs connected to networks implemented with one or more of thedifferent server computers 102 described herein.

The server computers 102 may include a central determination gamingsystem server 106, a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) system server 108, aplayer tracking system server 110, a progressive system server 112,and/or a casino management system server 114. Gaming devices 104A-104Xmay include features to enable operation of any or all servers for useby the player and/or operator (e.g., the casino, resort, gamingestablishment, tavern, pub, and so on). For example, game outcomes maybe generated on a central determination gaming system server 106 and maythen be transmitted over the network to any of a group of remoteterminals or remote gaming devices 104A-104X that utilize the gameoutcomes and display the results to the players.

A gaming device 104A is often of a cabinet construction which may bealigned in rows or banks of similar devices for placement and operationon a casino floor. The gaming device 104A may include a main door whichprovides access to the interior of a main cabinet 116. The gaming device104A may further include a button area or button deck 120 accessible bya player that is configured with input switches or buttons 122, anaccess channel for a bill validator 124, and/or an access channel for aticket-out printer 126.

In FIG. 1, the gaming device 104A is shown as a Relm XL™ model gamingdevice manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. As shown, thegaming device 104A is a reel machine having a gaming display area 118comprising a number (typically 3 or 5) of mechanical reels 130 withvarious symbols displayed on them. The mechanical reels 130 may beindependently spun and stopped to show a set of symbols within thegaming display area 118 and may be used to determine an outcome to agame.

In many configurations, the gaming device 104A may have a main display128 (e.g., a video display monitor) mounted to, or above, the gamingdisplay area 118. The main display 128 may be a high-resolution liquidcrystal display (LCD), plasma, light-emitting diode (LED), organic lightemitting diode (OLED) panel, which may be flat or curved as shown, acathode ray tube, or other conventional electronically controlled videomonitor.

In some implementations, the bill validator 124 may also function as a“ticket-in” reader that allows the player to use a casino issued creditticket to load credits onto the gaming device 104A (e.g., in a cashlessticket TITO system). In such cashless implementations, the gaming device104A may also include a “ticket-out” printer 126 for outputting a creditticket when a “cash out” button is pressed. Cashless TITO systems may beused to generate and track unique bar-codes or other indicators printedon tickets to allow players to avoid the use of bills and coins byloading credits using a ticket reader and cashing out credits using aticket-out printer 126 on the gaming device 104A. The gaming device 104Amay additionally have hardware meters for purposes including ensuringregulatory compliance and monitoring the player credit balance. Inaddition, there may be additional meters that record the total amount ofmoney wagered on the gaming device, the total amount of money deposited,the total amount of money withdrawn, the total amount of winnings ongaming device 104A, and so on.

In some implementations, a player tracking card reader 144, atransceiver for wireless communication with a mobile device (e.g., aplayer's smartphone), a keypad 146, and/or an illuminated display 148for reading, receiving, entering, and/or displaying player trackinginformation may be provided in gaming device 104A. In suchimplementations, a game controller within the gaming device 104A maycommunicate with the player tracking system server 110 to send andreceive player tracking information.

Gaming device 104A may also include a bonus topper wheel 134. When bonusplay is triggered (e.g., by a player achieving a particular outcome orset of outcomes in the primary game), the bonus topper wheel 134 may beoperative to spin and stop with indicator arrow 136 indicating theoutcome of the bonus game. The bonus topper wheel 134 may be used toplay a bonus game, but could also be incorporated into play of the baseor primary game.

A candle 138 may be mounted on the top of gaming device 104A and may beactivated by a player (e.g., using a switch or one of buttons 122) toindicate to operations staff that gaming device 104A has experienced amalfunction or the player requires service. The candle 138 may also beused to indicate a jackpot has been won and to alert staff that a handpayout of an award may be needed.

There may also be one or more information panels 152 which may be aback-lit, silkscreened glass panel with lettering to indicate generalgame information including, for example, a game denomination (e.g.,$0.25 or $1), pay lines, pay tables, and/or various game relatedgraphics. In some implementations, the information panel(s) 152 may beimplemented as an additional video display.

Gaming devices 104A may also include a handle 132 typically mounted tothe side of main cabinet 116 which may be used to initiate gameplay.

Many or all the above described components may be controlled bycircuitry (e.g., a game controller) housed inside the main cabinet 116of the gaming device 104A, the details of which are shown in FIG. 2A.

An alternative example gaming device 104B illustrated in FIG. 1 is theArc™ model gaming device manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc.Note that, where possible, reference numerals identifying similarfeatures of the gaming device 104A implementation are also identified inthe gaming device 104B implementation using the same reference numbers.The gaming device 104B may not include physical reels and may insteadshow gameplay functions on a main display 128. An optional topper screen140 may be used as a secondary game display for bonus play, to show gamefeatures or attraction activities while a game is not in play, or anyother information or media desired by the game designer or operator. Insome implementations, the optional topper screen 140 may also oralternatively be used to display progressive jackpot prizes available toa player during play of gaming device 104B.

Example gaming device 104B may include a main cabinet 116 including amain door which opens to provide access to the interior of the gamingdevice 104B. The main or service door may be used by service personnelto refill the ticket-out printer 126 and collect bills and ticketsinserted into the bill validator 124. The main or service door may alsobe accessed to reset the machine, verify and/or upgrade the software,and for general maintenance operations.

Another example gaming device 104C shown is the Helix™ model gamingdevice manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. The gaming device104C may include a main display 128A that is in a landscape orientation.Although not illustrated by the front view provided, the main display128A may have a curvature radius from top to bottom, or alternativelyfrom side to side. In some implementations, the main display 128A may bea flat panel display. The main display 128A may be used for primarygameplay while a secondary display 128B may be used for bonus gameplay,to show game features or attraction activities while the game is not inplay, or any other information or media desired by the game designer oroperator. In some implementations, the example gaming device 104C mayalso include speakers 142 to output various audio such as game sound,background music, etc.

Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, videoslot games, video poker, video black jack, video pachinko, keno, bingo,and lottery, may be provided with or implemented within the depictedgaming devices 104A-104C and other similar gaming devices. Each gamingdevice may also be operable to provide many different games. Games maybe differentiated according to themes, sounds, graphics, type of game(e.g., slot game vs. card game vs. game with aspects of skill),denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive ornon-progressive, bonus games, and so on, and may be deployed foroperation in Class 2, Class 3, and so on. The gaming device 104X mayrepresent any kind of gaming device and may include components similarto those in depicted gaming devices 104A-104C.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram depicting exemplary internal electroniccomponents of a gaming device 200 connected to various external systems.All or parts of the gaming device 200 shown could be used to implementany one of the example gaming devices 104A-104X depicted in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the gaming device 200 includes a topper display 216 oranother form of a top box (e.g., a topper wheel, a topper screen, and soon) that sits above a cabinet 218. The cabinet 218 or topper display 216may also house a number of other components which may be used to addfeatures to a game being played on gaming device 200, including speakers220, a ticket printer 222 which prints bar-coded tickets or other mediaor mechanisms for storing or indicating a player's credit value, aticket reader 224 which reads bar-coded tickets or other media ormechanisms for storing or indicating a player's credit value, and aplayer tracking interface 232. The player tracking interface 232 mayinclude a keypad 226 for entering information, a player tracking display228 for displaying information (e.g., an illuminated or video display),and a card reader 230 for receiving data and/or communicatinginformation to and from media or a device such as a smart phone enablingplayer tracking. FIG. 2 also depicts utilizing a ticket printer 222 toprint tickets for a TITO system server 108. The gaming device 200 mayfurther include a bill validator 234, player-input buttons 236 forplayer input, cabinet security sensors 238 to detect unauthorizedopening of the cabinet 218, a primary game display 240, and a secondarygame display 242, each display coupled to and operable under the controlof a game controller 202.

The games available for play on the gaming device 200 may be controlledby a game controller 202 that includes a processor 204. The processor204 may represent a general-purpose processor, a specialized processorintended to perform certain functional tasks, a combination thereof, andso on. As an example, the processor 204 may be a central processing unit(CPU) that has one or more multi-core processing units and memorymediums (e.g., cache memory) that function as buffers and/or temporarystorage for data. Alternatively, the processor 204 may be a specializedprocessor, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA),digital signal processor (DSP), or another type of hardware accelerator.In another example, the processor 204 may be a system on chip (SoC) thatcombines and integrates one or more general-purpose processors and/orone or more specialized processors. Although FIG. 2A illustrates thatthe game controller 202 includes a single processor 204, the gamecontroller 202 is not limited to this representation and may includemultiple processors 204 (e.g., two or more processors).

FIG. 2A illustrates that the processor 204 is operatively coupled to amemory 208. The memory 208 is defined herein as including volatileand/or nonvolatile memory and other types of non-transitory data storagecomponents. Volatile memory is memory that does not retain data valuesupon loss of power. Nonvolatile memory is memory that does retain dataupon a loss of power. Examples of the memory 208 include random accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-statedrives, universal serial bus (USB) flash drives, memory cards accessedvia a memory card reader, floppy disks accessed via an associated floppydisk drive, optical discs accessed via an optical disc drive, magnetictapes accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memorycomponents, a combination of any two or more of these memory components,and so on. In addition, examples of RAM include static random accessmemory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), magnetic randomaccess memory (MRAM), and other devices. Examples of ROM include aprogrammable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), or other memory device. Even though FIG. 2A illustrates thatthe game controller 202 includes a single memory 208, game controller202 could include multiple memories 208 for storing program instructionsand/or data.

The memory 208 may store one or more game programs 206 that provideprogram instructions and/or data for carrying out variousimplementations (e.g., game mechanics) described herein. Stated anotherway, a game program 206 represents an executable program stored in anyportion or component of the memory 208. In one or more implementations,the game program 206 is embodied in the form of source code thatincludes human-readable statements written in a programming language ormachine code that contains numerical instructions recognizable by asuitable execution system, such as a processor 204 in a game controller202 or other system. Examples of executable programs include: (1) acompiled program that may be translated into machine code in a formatthat may be loaded into a random access portion of a memory 208 and runby processor 204; (2) source code that may be expressed in proper formatsuch as object code that is capable of being loaded into a random accessportion of a memory 208 and executed by a processor 204; and (3) sourcecode that may be interpreted by another executable program to generateinstructions in a random access portion of a memory 208 to be executedby a processor 204.

Alternatively, a game program 206 may be set up to generate one or moregame instances based on instructions and/or data that the gaming device200 exchanges with one or more remote gaming devices, such as a centraldetermination gaming system server 106 (not shown in FIG. 2A butdepicted in FIG. 1). For purpose of this disclosure, the term “gameinstance” refers to a play or a round of a game that the gaming device200 presents (e.g., via a user interface (UI)) to a player. The gameinstance may be communicated to the gaming device 200 via the network214 and then displayed on gaming device 200. For example, the gamingdevice 200 may execute the game program 206 as video streaming softwarethat allows the game to be displayed on the gaming device 200. When agame is stored on the gaming device 200, it may be loaded from thememory 208 (e.g., from a read only memory (ROM)) or from the centraldetermination gaming system server 106 to the memory 208.

Gaming devices, such as the gaming device 200, are highly regulated toensure fairness and, in some cases, the gaming device 200 is operable toaward monetary awards (e.g., dispensed in the form of a redeemablevoucher). Therefore, to satisfy security and regulatory requirements ina gaming environment, hardware and software architectures areimplemented in the gaming device 200 that may differ from those ofgeneral-purpose computers. Adapting general purpose computers tofunction as gaming devices 200 may not be simple or straightforwardbecause of: (1) the regulatory requirements for the gaming device 200,(2) the harsh environment in which the gaming device 200 operate, (3)security requirements, (4) fault tolerance requirements, and (5) therequirement for additional special purpose componentry enablingfunctionality of an EGM. These differences require substantialengineering effort with respect to game design implementation, gamemechanics, hardware components, and software.

One regulatory requirement for games running on the gaming device 200generally involves complying with a certain level of randomness. Gamingjurisdictions may mandate that gaming devices satisfy a minimum level ofrandomness without specifying how a gaming device should achieve thislevel of randomness. To comply, FIG. 2A illustrates that the gamingdevice 200 may include a random number generator (RNG) 212 that utilizeshardware and/or software to generate RNG outcomes that lack any pattern.The RNG operations may be specialized and non-generic in order to complywith regulatory and gaming requirements. For example, in a slot game,the game program 206 may initiate multiple RNG calls to RNG 212 togenerate RNG outcomes, where each RNG call and RNG outcome correspondsto an outcome for a reel. In another example, the gaming device 200 maybe a Class 2 gaming device where the RNG 212 generates RNG outcomes forcreating bingo cards. In one or more implementations, the RNG 212 couldbe one of a set of RNGs operating on the gaming device 200. Moregenerally, an output of the RNG 212 may be the basis on which gameoutcomes are determined by the game controller 202. Game developerscould vary the degree of true randomness for each RNG (e.g.,pseudorandom) and utilize specific RNGs depending on game requirements.The output of the RNG 212 may include a random number or pseudorandomnumber (either is generally referred to as a “random number”).

In FIG. 2A, the RNG 212 and a hardware RNG 244 are shown in dashed linesto illustrate that the RNG 212, the hardware RNG 244, or both, may beincluded in the gaming device 200. In some implementations, instead ofincluding the RNG 212, the gaming device 200 may include a hardware RNG244 that generates RNG outcomes. Analogous to the RNG 212, the hardwareRNG 244 may perform specialized and non-generic operations in order tocomply with regulatory and gaming requirements. For example, because ofregulation requirements, the hardware RNG 244 may be a random numbergenerator that securely produces random numbers for cryptography use.The gaming device 200 may then use the secure random numbers to generategame outcomes for one or more game features. In additional oralternative implementations, the gaming device 200 may include both thehardware RNG 244 and the RNG 212. The RNG 212 may additionally oralternatively utilize the RNG outcomes from the hardware RNG 244 as oneof many sources of entropy for generating secure random numbers for thegame features.

Another regulatory requirement for running games on the gaming device200 includes ensuring a certain level of Return to Player (RTP) payouts.Similar to the randomness requirement discussed above, numerous gamingjurisdictions may also mandate that a gaming device provides a minimumlevel of RTP (e.g., RTP of at least 75%). A game may use one or morelookup tables (also called weighted tables) as part of a technicalsolution that satisfies regulatory requirements for randomness and RTP.In particular, a lookup table may integrate game features (e.g., triggerevents for special modes or bonus games; newly introduced game elementssuch as extra reels, new symbols, or new cards; stop positions fordynamic game elements such as spinning reels, spinning wheels, orshifting reels; or card selections from a deck) with random numbersgenerated by one or more RNGs, so as to achieve a given level ofvolatility for a target level of RTP. (In general, volatility refers tothe frequency or probability of an event such as a special mode, payout,etc. For example, for a target level of RTP, a higher-volatility gamemay have a lower payout most of the time with an occasional bonus havinga very high payout, while a lower-volatility game has a steadier payoutwith more frequent bonuses of smaller amounts.) Configuring a lookuptable may involve engineering decisions with respect to how RNG outcomesare mapped to game outcomes for a given game feature, while stillsatisfying regulatory requirements for RTP. Configuring a lookup tablemay also involve engineering decisions about whether different gamefeatures are combined in a given entry of the lookup table or splitbetween different entries (for the respective game features), whilestill satisfying regulatory requirements for RTP and allowing forvarying levels of game volatility.

FIG. 2A illustrates that the gaming device 200 includes a RNG conversionengine 210 that translates the RNG outcome from the RNG 212 to a gameoutcome presented to a player. To meet a designated RTP, a gamedeveloper may set up the RNG conversion engine 210 to utilize one ormore lookup tables to translate the RNG outcome to a symbol element,stop position on a reel strip layout, and/or randomly chosen aspect of agame feature. As an example, the lookup tables may regulate a prizepayout amount for each RNG outcome and how often the gaming device 200pays out the prize payout amounts. The RNG conversion engine 210 mayutilize one lookup table to map the RNG outcome to a game outcomedisplayed to a player and a second lookup table as a pay table fordetermining the prize payout amount for each game outcome. The mappingbetween the RNG outcome to the game outcome may partially or entirelycontrol the frequency in hitting certain prize payout amounts.

FIG. 2A also depicts that the gaming device 200 is connected overnetwork 214 to a player tracking system server 110. The player trackingsystem server 110 may be, for example, an OASIS® system manufactured byAristocrat® Technologies, Inc. The player tracking system server 110 maybe used to track play (e.g. amount wagered, games played, time of playand/or other quantitative or qualitative measures) for individualplayers so that an operator may reward players in a loyalty program. Theplayer may use the player tracking interface 232 to access his/heraccount information, activate free play, and/or request variousinformation. Player tracking or loyalty programs may reward players fortheir play and may help build brand loyalty to the gaming establishment.The rewards typically correspond to the player's level of patronage(e.g., to the player's playing frequency and/or total amount ofgameplays at a given casino). Player tracking rewards may becomplimentary and/or discounted meals, lodging, entertainment and/oradditional play. Player tracking information may be combined with otherinformation that may be readily obtainable by a casino managementsystem.

When a player wishes to play the gaming device 200, he/she may insertcash or a ticket voucher through a coin acceptor (not shown) or billvalidator 234 to establish a credit balance on the gaming device. Thecredit balance may be used by the player to place wagers on instances ofthe game and to receive credit awards based on the outcome of winninginstances. The credit balance may be decreased by the amount of eachwager and may be increased upon a win. The player may add additionalcredits to the balance at any time. The player may also optionallyinsert a loyalty club card into the card reader 230. During the game,the player may view, with one or more user interfaces (UIs), the gameoutcome on one or more of the primary game display 240 and secondarygame display 242. Other game and prize information may also bedisplayed.

For each game instance, a player may make selections, which may affectplay of the game. For example, the player may vary the total amountwagered by selecting the amount bet per line and the number of linesplayed. In some games, the player may be asked to initiate or selectoptions during course of gameplay (such as spinning a wheel to begin abonus round or select various items during a feature game). The playermay make these selections using the player-input buttons 236, theprimary game display 240 which may be a touch screen, or using anotherdevice which enables a player to input information into the gamingdevice 200.

During certain game events, the gaming device 200 may display visual andauditory effects that may be perceived by the player. These effects mayadd to the excitement of a game, which may make a player more likely toenjoy the playing experience. Auditory effects include various soundsthat are projected by the speakers 220. Visual effects include flashinglights, strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lights on thegaming device 200 or from lights behind the information panel 152 (seeFIG. 1).

When the player is done, he/she may cash out the credit balance(typically by pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from theticket printer 222). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or insertedinto another machine to establish a credit balance for play.

Additionally, or alternatively, gaming devices 104A-104X and 200 mayinclude or be coupled to one or more wireless transmitters, receivers,and/or transceivers (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A) that communicate(e.g., Bluetooth® or other near-field communication technology) with oneor more mobile devices to perform a variety of wireless operations in acasino environment. Examples of wireless operations in a casinoenvironment may include detecting the presence of mobile devices;performing credit, points, comps, or other marketing or hard currencytransfers; establishing wagering sessions; providing a personalizedcasino-based experience using a mobile application; and so on. In someimplementations, to perform these wireless operations, a wirelesstransmitter or transceiver may initiate a secure wireless connectionbetween a gaming devices 104A-104X and/or 200 and a mobile device. Afterestablishing a secure wireless connection between the gaming devices104A-104X and/or 200 and the mobile device, the wireless transmitter ortransceiver may not send and/or receive application data to and/or fromthe mobile device. Rather, the mobile device communicates with gamingdevices 104A-104X and/or 200 may use another wireless connection (e.g.,WiFi® or cellular network). In alternative or additionalimplementations, a wireless transceiver may establish a secureconnection to directly communicate with the mobile device. The mobiledevice and gaming device 104A-104X and/or 200 may send and receive datautilizing the wireless transceiver instead of utilizing an externalnetwork. For example, the mobile device may perform digital wallettransactions by directly communicating with the wireless transceiver. Insome implementations, a wireless transmitter could broadcast datareceived by one or more mobile devices without establishing a pairingconnection with the mobile devices.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2A illustrate specific implementations of a gamingdevice (e.g., gaming devices 104A-104X and/or 200), the disclosure isnot limited to those implementations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Forexample, not all gaming devices suitable for implementingimplementations of the present disclosure necessarily include topwheels, top boxes, information panels, cashless ticket systems, and/orplayer tracking systems. Further, some suitable gaming devices may onlyhave a single game display that includes only a mechanical set of reelsand/or a video display, while others may be designed for bar counters ortabletops and have displays that face upwards. Gaming devices 104A-104Xand 200 may also include other processors that are not separately shown.Using FIG. 2A as an example, a gaming device 200 may include displaycontrollers (such as a game pad, keyboard, or button-based input, notshown in FIG. 2A) configured to receive video input signals orinstructions to display images on game displays 240 and 242.Alternatively, such display controllers may be integrated into the gamecontroller 202. The use and discussion of FIGS. 1 and 2 are examples tofacilitate ease of description and explanation.

FIG. 2B depicts a casino gaming environment according to one example. Inthis example, the casino 251 may include banks 252 of EGMs 104. In thisexample, each bank 252 of EGMs 104 may include a corresponding gamingsignage system 254 (also shown in FIG. 2A). According to thisimplementation, the casino 251 may also include mobile gaming devices256, which are also configured to present wagering games in thisexample. The mobile gaming devices 256 may, for example, include tabletdevices, cellular phones, smart phones and/or other handheld devices. Inthis example, the mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured forcommunication with one or more other devices in the casino 251,including but not limited to one or more of the server computers 102,via wireless access points 258.

According to some examples, the mobile gaming devices 256 may beconfigured for stand-alone determination of game outcomes. However inadditional or alternative implementations, the mobile gaming devices 256may be configured to receive game outcomes from another device, such asthe central determination gaming system server 106, one of the EGMs 104,and so on.

Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to accept monetarycredits from a credit or debit card, via a wireless interface (e.g., viaa wireless payment app), tickets, a patron casino account, and so on.However, some mobile gaming devices 256 may not be configured to acceptmonetary credits via a credit or debit card. Some mobile gaming devices256 may include a ticket reader and/or a ticket printer whereas somemobile gaming devices 256 may not, depending on the particularimplementation.

In some implementations, the casino 251 may include one or more kiosks260 that are configured to facilitate monetary transactions involvingthe mobile gaming devices 256, which may include cash-out and/or cash-intransactions. The kiosks 260 may be configured for wired and/or wirelesscommunication with the mobile gaming devices 256. The kiosks 260 may beconfigured to accept monetary credits from casino patrons 262 and/or todispense monetary credits to casino patrons 262 via cash, a credit ordebit card, a wireless interface (e.g., a wireless payment app),tickets, and so on. According to some examples, the kiosks 260 may beconfigured to accept monetary credits from a casino patron and mayprovide a corresponding amount of monetary credits to a mobile gamingdevice 256 for wagering purposes, e.g., via a wireless link such as anear-field communications link. In some such examples, when a casinopatron 262 is ready to cash out, the casino patron 262 may select a cashout option provided by a mobile gaming device 256, which may include areal button or a virtual button (e.g., a button provided via a graphicaluser interface) in some instances. In some such examples, the mobilegaming device 256 may send a “cash out” signal to a kiosk 260 via awireless link in response to receiving a “cash out” indication from acasino patron. The kiosk 260 may provide monetary credits to the casinopatron 262 corresponding to the “cash out” signal, which may be in theform of cash, a credit ticket, a credit transmitted to a financialaccount corresponding to the casino patron, and so on.

In some implementations, a cash-in process and/or a cash-out process maybe facilitated by the TITO system server 108. For example, the TITOsystem server 108 may control, or at least authorize, ticket-in andticket-out transactions that involve a mobile gaming device 256 and/or akiosk 260.

Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for receiving and/ortransmitting player loyalty information. For example, some mobile gamingdevices 256 may be configured for wireless communication with the playertracking system server 110. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may beconfigured for receiving and/or transmitting player loyalty informationvia wireless communication with a patron's player loyalty card, apatron's smartphone, etc.

According to some implementations, a mobile gaming device 256 may beconfigured to provide safeguards that prevent the mobile gaming device256 from being used by an unauthorized person. For example, some mobilegaming devices 256 may include one or more biometric sensors and may beconfigured to receive input via the biometric sensor(s) to verify theidentity of an authorized patron. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may beconfigured to function only within a predetermined or configurable area,such as a casino gaming area.

FIG. 2C is a diagram that shows examples of components of a system forproviding online gaming according to some aspects of the presentdisclosure. As with other figures presented in this disclosure, thenumbers, types and arrangements of gaming devices shown in FIG. 2C aremerely shown by way of example. In this example, various gaming devices,including but not limited to end user devices (EUDs) 264 a, 264 b and264 c may be capable of communication via one or more networks 417. Thenetworks 417 may, for example, include one or more cellular telephonenetworks, the Internet, and so on. In this example, the EUDs 264 a and264 b are mobile devices: where the EUD 264 a is a tablet device and theEUD 264 b is a smart phone. In this implementation, the EUD 264 c is alaptop computer that is located within a residence 266 at the timedepicted in FIG. 2C. Accordingly, in this example the hardware of EUDsis not specifically configured for online gaming, although each EUD isconfigured with software for online gaming. For example, each EUD may beconfigured with a web browser. Other implementations may include othertypes of EUD, some of which may be specifically configured for onlinegaming.

In this example, a gaming data center 276 may include various devicesthat are configured to provide online wagering games via the networks417. The gaming data center 276 may be capable of communication with thenetworks 417 via the gateway 272. In this example, switches 278 androuters 280 may be configured to provide network connectivity fordevices of the gaming data center 276, including storage devices 282 a,servers 284 a, and one or more workstations 286 a. The servers 284 amay, for example, be configured to provide access to a library of gamesfor online gameplay. In some examples, code for executing at least someof the games may initially be stored on one or more of the storagedevices 282 a. The code may be subsequently loaded onto a server 284 aafter selection by a player via an EUD and communication of thatselection from the EUD via the networks 417. The server 284 a onto whichcode for the selected game has been loaded may provide the gameaccording to selections made by a player and indicated via the player'sEUD. In other examples, code for executing at least some of the gamesmay initially be stored on one or more of the servers 284 a. Althoughonly one gaming data center 276 is shown in FIG. 2C, someimplementations may include multiple gaming data centers 276.

In this example, a financial institution data center 270 is alsoconfigured for communication via the networks 417. Here, the financialinstitution data center 270 may include servers 284 b, storage devices282 b, and one or more workstations 286 b. According to this example,the financial institution data center 270 may be configured to maintainfinancial accounts, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, loanaccounts, and so on. In some implementations, one or more of theauthorized users 274 a-274 c may maintain at least one financial accountwith the financial institution that is serviced via the financialinstitution data center 270.

According to some implementations, the gaming data center 276 may beconfigured to provide online wagering games in which money may be won orlost. According to some such implementations, one or more of the servers284 a may be configured to monitor player credit balances, which may beexpressed in game credits, in currency units, or in any otherappropriate manner. In some implementations, the server(s) 284 a may beconfigured to obtain financial credits from and/or provide financialcredits to one or more financial institutions, according to a player's“cash in” selections, wagering game results, and a player's “cash out”instructions. According to some such implementations, the server(s) 284a may be configured to electronically credit or debit the account of aplayer that is maintained by a financial institution, e.g., an accountthat is maintained via the financial institution data center 270. Theserver(s) 284 a may, in some examples, be configured to maintain anaudit record of such transactions.

In some alternative implementations, the gaming data center 276 may beconfigured to provide online wagering games for which credits may not beexchanged for cash or the equivalent. In some such examples, players maypurchase game credits for online gameplay, but may not “cash out” formonetary credit after a gaming session. Moreover, although the financialinstitution data center 270 and the gaming data center 276 include theirown servers and storage devices in this example, in some examples thefinancial institution data center 270 and/or the gaming data center 276may use offsite “cloud-based” servers and/or storage devices. In somealternative examples, the financial institution data center 270 and/orthe gaming data center 276 may rely entirely on cloud-based servers.

One or more types of devices in the gaming data center 276 (orelsewhere) may be capable of executing middleware, e.g., for datamanagement and/or device communication. Authentication information,player tracking information, etc., including but not limited toinformation obtained by EUDs 264 and/or other information regardingauthorized users of EUDs 264 (including but not limited to theauthorized users 274 a-274 c), may be stored on storage devices 282and/or servers 284. Other game-related information and/or software, suchas information and/or software relating to leaderboards, playerscurrently playing a game, game themes, game-related promotions, gamecompetitions, etc., also may be stored on storage devices 282 and/orservers 284. In some implementations, some such game-related softwaremay be available as applications (“apps”) and may be downloadable (e.g.,from the gaming data center 276) by authorized users.

In some examples, authorized users and/or entities (such asrepresentatives of gaming regulatory authorities) may obtaingaming-related information via the gaming data center 276. One or moreother devices (such EUDs 264 or devices of the gaming data center 276)may act as intermediaries for such data feeds. Such devices may, forexample, be capable of applying data filtering algorithms, executingdata summary and/or analysis software, etc. In some implementations,data filtering, summary and/or analysis software may be available as“apps” and downloadable by authorized users.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example gaming device 300 (e.g., an EGM)that includes a display panel 328 with two planar display regions, afirst planar display region 328A and a second planar display region328B. As discussed and shown with respect to FIG. 3B, each of the planardisplay regions may be offset by an offset angle θ₁ and may be presenteddifferently (e.g., at different viewing angles) to a player of thegaming device 300. Due to the offset angle θ₁ between the first planardisplay region 328A and the second planar display region 328B, the twoplanar display regions may simulate multiple, discrete displays.

In the provided figures, the offset angle θ₁ is set to 90°, though inother cases the offset angle θ₁ may be set to any other value. It isadditionally noted that the offset angle θ₁ is formed as a right angle(e.g., with a hard edge) as it appears in FIGS. 3A and 3B. However, insome cases, the offset angle θ₁ is smoothed, rounded or otherwisesoftened so that a transition between the first planar display region328A and the second planar display region 328B is made more gradual.

The gaming device 300 may be similar to the gaming devices discussedherein (e.g., gaming devices 104A-104X) and the visual appearance of thegaming device 300 is not limited to that depicted in FIG. 3A. The gamingdevice 300 may include a main cabinet 316 and a display assembly 350. Insome cases, the main cabinet 316 may be detachably coupled with thedisplay assembly 350.

The main cabinet 316 may act as a main housing and may include a maindoor, and/or a main access panel, which provides access to the interiorof the main cabinet 316. The interior of the main cabinet 316 mayinclude various electronic components such as, for example,machinery/materials for printing/accepting tickets, components forscanning tickets and/or cards, a game controller, a power supply, and soon (see, e.g., discussion surrounding FIG. 1). The main cabinet 316 maybe detachably coupled with a display assembly 350, such as describedwith respect to FIGS. 9A-9B. That is, the main cabinet 316 may beprovided on a floor (e.g., a casino floor) and the display assembly 350may be removed after being released from the main cabinet 316. In somecases, the display assembly 350 is integrated with the main cabinet 316such that the display assembly 350 is not removable from the maincabinet 316.

The display assembly 350 may include a display panel 328, a housing forthe display panel 328, and one or more mechanical and/or electricalcomponents to couple with the main cabinet 316 (see, e.g., FIGS. 9A-9B).The display panel 328 may be a single display (e.g., an LCD or LEDdisplay) that includes a transition region 329 between a first planardisplay region 328A and a second planar display region 328B. As shown inFIG. 3B, the first planar display region 328A may be offset by an offsetangle θ₁ with respect to the second planar display region 328B. Thehousing for the display panel 328 may be referenced as a displayassembly housing and may at least partially surround the display panel328. A rear surface of the display assembly housing may include anelectrical connector (see, e.g., first electrical connector 951 depictedin FIG. 9A) and/or multiple attachment mechanisms (e.g., the first andsecond side attachment mechanisms 953A/953B as depicted in FIG. 9A).

Moving back to FIG. 3A, the transition region 329 may define a boundarybetween the first planar display region 328A and the second planardisplay region 328B. In some cases, the transition region 329 remains asa part of the display panel 328 (e.g., the display panel 328 is bent atthe transition region 329). In some cases, the transition region 329 isconfigured to display a black/white/colored bar (e.g., activated orun-activated pixels) with a thickness between 1-600 pixels, and/orbetween 100-200 pixels. In some cases, the transition region 329 has awidth of 180 pixels. In some cases, the transition region 329 displaysimages, graphics, and/or illuminated pixels so as to emit light from thetransition region 329. In some cases, only a portion of the transitionregion 329 (e.g., an outside portion) is illuminated so as to connectthe first planar display region 328A with the second planar displayregion 328B.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the planar display regions may be facingdifferent directions. For example, the first planar display region 328Ais positioned substantially vertically, with respect to a groundsurface, and the second planar display region 328B is positionedsubstantially horizontally, with respect to ground, such that an offsetangle θ₁ is set at 90°. In this way and continuing the above example,the second planar display region 328B and the first planar displayregion 328A are perpendicular with respect to each other.

Though an offset angle θ₁ of 90° is discussed, any offset angle θ₁ maybe used in accordance with the provided disclosure. For example, anoffset angle θ₁ of 45°, 35°, 15°, 25°, and so on may be used inaccordance with the provided disclosure.

The two planar display regions may display identical UIs (e.g., aduplicated UI), may display different UIs, or may display an extended UI(e.g., a UI which extends across the first planar display region 328Aand the second planar display region 328B). In cases where the twoplanar display regions display different UIs, each UI may be providedfor a different purpose. For example, the first planar display region328A displays various animations related to, for example, a number ofcards being drawn, a video pachinko game play animation, a video blackjack dealer, a spinning roulette wheel, and so on. The second planardisplay region 328B displays menus, input options, and so on, configuredto receive a player input. For example, the second planar display region338B displays a keno card, a hand of cards associated with the player,options to select certain numbers/colors for a roulette wheel, and soon. In additional or alternative examples, the second planar displayregion 428B is a virtual button deck that presents and/or is connectedto multiple bet buttons and one or more spin buttons. Though particularUIs are discussed with respect to particular planar display regions, itis noted that any UI may be provided on any planar display region inaccordance with the design principles of any particular game.

In some cases, the second planar display region 328B is atouch-sensitive display and the first planar display region 328A is notconfigured to receive touch inputs. For example, an additional layerconfigured to detect touch and/or force inputs is created over thesecond planar display region 328B. This layer may be any single layer orany combination of multiple layers including, for example, a drivelayer, a compliant layer, and a sensor layer. Any type of touch sensing,including resistive touch sensing, surface capacitive sensing, projectedcapacitance sensing, and so on, may be used. In alternative cases, boththe first planar display region 328A and the second planar displayregion 328B are touch-sensitive or neither of the planar display regionsare touch-sensitive.

In some cases, as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first planar displayregion 328A are substantially perpendicular/vertical to a mountingsurface of the gaming device 300 and/or are substantiallyperpendicular/vertical with respect to a viewing angle of a player ofthe gaming device 300. In addition, the second planar display region328B may be substantially horizontal/perpendicular with respect to thefirst planar display region 328A. In some cases, the angle of any one ofthe first planar display region 328A and the second planar displayregion 328B is set to any value.

Any size or resolution of a display panel 328 may be used. In someexamples, the display panel 328 is a 43-inch display with a 4kresolution (e.g., a horizontal resolution of about 4,000 pixels). Insome cases, the planar display regions comprise the same resolution. Forexample, the first planar display region 328A has a resolution of1920×1080 and the second planar display region 328B also has aresolution of 1920×1080, though these are merely examples and anyresolution may be used. In some cases, the first planar display region328A and the second planar display region 328B have differentresolutions. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first planar display region 328A isapproximately twice the size of the second planar display region 328B,though this is merely an example and any size of either planar displayregion may be used.

A display panel 328 may include any type of display including aliquid-crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)display, a light-emitting diode (LED) display, and so on. In some cases,the display panel 328 may be configured to modify a brightness based onelectrical signals modified by a controller.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example gaming device 400 (e.g., an EGM)including a display panel 428 with a first planar display region 428A, asecond planar display region 428B, and a third planar display region428C. The gaming device 400 may be similar to the gaming device 300described and depicted with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B and duplicativedescriptions may be omitted or reduced. Further, the gaming device 400may be similar to the gaming devices discussed herein (e.g., gamingdevices 104A-104X).

The gaming device 400 may include a main cabinet 416 coupled with adisplay assembly 450. The display assembly may include a display panel428, a housing for the display panel 428, and one or more mechanicaland/or electrical components to couple with the main cabinet 416. Insome cases, the main cabinet 416 is substantially similar to the maincabinet 316. In alternate cases, the main cabinet 416 has a differentform to account for the differently shaped display assembly 450. Themain cabinet 416 may include all electronic/internal components asdiscussed herein such as, for example, a game controller.

As depicted in FIG. 4B, each planar display region may be offset by arespective offset angle with respect to a neighboring planar displayregion. For example, a first planar display region 428A is offset from asecond planar display region 428B by a first offset angle θ₂. Similarly,the first planar display region 428A is offset from a third planardisplay region 428C by a second offset angle θ₃. As depicted, the firstoffset angle θ₂ is set to 135° and the second offset angle is set to45°, though these values are merely provided for explanatory purposes.In some cases, the first offset angle θ₂ and the second offset angle θ₃are equivalent (e.g., 45°) or are set to any value. This arrangement maysimulate the presence of three discrete displays using only the displaypanel 428. In alternative cases, the offset angles may be set todifferent values. As described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, theparticular value of any respective offset angle is not limited to anyparticular embodiment.

In some cases, the third planar display region 428C acts as aninformational UI and displays graphics and/or animations relating to,for example, the name of the game running on the gaming device 400 (see,e.g., FIG. 8), though it is noted that any UI may be provided on any ofthe planar display regions including, but not limited to, extended orduplicate displays. In some cases, the second planar display region 428Bis horizontal, with respect to ground, and the third planar displayregion 428C is vertical with respect to ground, though these are merelyexamples.

Moving back to FIG. 4A, the gaming device 400 may additionally comprisea first transition region 429A and a second transition region 429B. Asdiscussed above, the transition regions may correspond to a transitionbetween neighboring planar display regions and may be bent at an offsetangle. The bent transition regions may be substantially equivalent inwidth and/or length (e.g., 180 pixels wide) or may have different widthsand/or lengths depending on a degree of a bend. As discussed above, thetransition regions may comprise turned-off pixels (e.g., dark pixels),illuminated pixels, or any combination thereof. The first transitionregion 429A and the second transition region 429B may comprise sharpedges or may be rounded, as described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

With respect to FIGS. 3A-4B, the multiple planar display regions may bedesigned to be viewable by a single player at different angles. However,the provided disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. As discussedbelow in FIGS. 5A-6, multiple planar display regions may be provided andmay be configured to display graphical elements to more than one playerand/or associated persons. In some cases, a player is not be able toview every provided planar display region at one time and some planardisplay regions are hidden from the player. In such cases, multipleplayers and/or associated persons each view different planar displayregions if viewing the gaming device from different vantage points. Thismay be beneficial in, for example, competitive games where two or moreplayers are pitted against each other. Continuing the above example,each individual player is prevented from viewing some planar displayregions to avoid obtaining a competitive advantage over another player.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example gaming device 500 (e.g., an EGM)that includes display regions viewable from different positions relativeto the gaming device. As illustrated, the gaming device 500 includesplanar display regions 528A, 528B, and 528C, with consecutive displayregions separated by a respective transition region (e.g., a firsttransition region 529A and a second transition region 529B). The gamingdevice 500 may be configured so that two planar display regions (e.g.,planar display regions 528A and 528B) face, or partially face, a firstdirection and another planar display region (e.g., planar display region528C, see FIG. 5B) faces, or partially faces, an opposite direction. Inthis way, two planar display regions may face a player of the gamingdevice 500 and one planar display region may face an operator orattendant. For example, if the gaming device 500 were installed on abar- or table-top, the two planar display regions 528A and 528B face aplayer and one planar display region 528C faces away from the player (sothat an operator or attendant may, for example, navigate a menu).Similar to the examples discussed above with respect to FIGS. 3A-4B, thedisplay panel 528 may comprise one uniform display and may comprisemultiple planar display regions, each planar display region separatedfrom a consecutive planar display region by a bent transition region.Likewise, the gaming device 500 may include a display assembly 550 and agame cabinet 516. In some cases, the gaming device is made smaller so asto fit on a table or bar. In some embodiments, the first planar displayregion 528A is offset from the second planar display region 528B by a45° offset angle θ₄, though θ₄ may be set to any value. An offset angleθ₅ may be set above 180°, such that the first planar display region 528Aand the third planar display region 528C generally face oppositedirections, though θ₅ may be manufactured at any value.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example gaming device 600 (e.g., an EGM) thatincludes display regions viewable from different positions relative tothe gaming device. The gaming device 600 may include a game cabinet 616,a display assembly 650, and a display panel that includes four planardisplay regions, as described herein. Two of the planar display regionsmay face one direction and the remaining two of the planar displayregions may face an opposite direction. This may permit a head-to-headgame where two players can each view two planar display regions withoutviewing the other planar display regions. As described above, the planardisplay regions may be offset by various offset angles θ₆, θ₇, and θ₈,which may be set to any value such as, in the case of offset angles θ₆and θ₈, 45° or, in the case of θ₇, greater than 180°. Other features ofgaming device 600 may be similar to those discussed with respect toFIGS. 1-5B.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate an example gaming device 700 including a displaypanel 728 and glass cover sheet 727 that defines a raised perimeterregion 731. The gaming device 700 may be similar to the gaming devicesdiscussed herein (e.g., gaming devices 104A-104X) and the visualappearance of the gaming device 700 is not limited to that depicted inFIG. 7A. Though FIG. 7A depicts three planar display regions, any numberof planar display regions may be provided.

As depicted in FIG. 7A, the raised perimeter region 731 is raisedcompared to an interior region of the glass cover sheet 727 andsurrounds a perimeter of the display panel 728. A height of the raisedperimeter region 731 is not particularly limited and may be between 1 mmand 500 mm, be between 20 mm and 100 mm, and/or may be above 500 mm. Asfurther depicted in FIG. 7A, each of the planar display regions728A-728C may have a respective portion of their periphery surrounded bythe raised perimeter region 731 such that the raised perimeter region731 surrounds the interior region of the display panel 728. For example,the second planar display region 728B and the third planar displayregion 728C are surrounded on three sides by the raised perimeter region731 and the first planar display region 728A are surrounded on two sidesby the raised perimeter region 731.

As can be seen in FIG. 7C, the glass cover sheet 727 may have asubstantially uniform thickness across a width of the glass cover sheet727, but the raised perimeter region 731 may be raised relative to aninterior region 725. The raised perimeter region 731 may allow variouselements (e.g., a light pipe 739 and/or a gasket 741) to be disposedunderneath the raised perimeter region 731, as discussed herein.

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of a display with a raisedperimeter region 731. As can be seen in FIG. 7B, the raised perimeterregion 731 may surround the perimeter of the display panel 728. Inalternative examples, a raised perimeter region surrounds eachindividual planar display region 728A-728C, though this is not depictedin FIG. 7A or 7B. The raised perimeter region 731 may act to keepliquid, or other objects, spilled on the glass cover sheet 727 containedwithin the glass cover sheet 727 so as to not damage electroniccomponents as may be disposed on an associated main cabinet.

As depicted in FIG. 7C, the display assembly may include optical and/orother components beneath the raised perimeter region 731 of the glasscover sheet 727. The view in FIG. 7C is cut along line A-A as depictedin FIG. 7B. FIG. 7C illustrates a display assembly that includes a baselayer 733, a backlight 735, a display 737, a light pipe 739, a gasket741, and a glass cover sheet 727. The base layer 733 may be any layeracting as a casing/housing and may be formed of metal, plastic, glass,laminate, and so on. A backlight 735 may be coupled to the base layer733 and may be configured to emit light toward the display 737. In somecases, and/or with certain types of display, the backlight 735 isomitted. The backlight 735 may be controlled (e.g., by a controller) toprovide variable levels of display brightness which may be measured inlumens or nits. In some cases, the backlight 735 is non-uniform suchthat, for example, the raised perimeter region 731 is illuminated at ahigher brightness than surrounding regions.

A display 737 may be any type of display including a liquid-crystaldisplay (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, alight-emitting diode (LED) display, and so on. In some cases, thedisplay 737 is configured to modify a brightness, without the use of abacklight 735, based on electrical signals modified by a controller. Asdescribed herein, the display 737 may comprise multiple planar displayregions separated by one or more bent transition regions.

A light pipe 739 may further be coupled on the display 737 at aperimeter surrounding the display. The light pipe 739 may include anyoptical elements configured to diffuse or otherwise manipulate light andmay be transparent, or partially transparent. The light pipe 739 maydiffuse, or blur, light emitted from the display 737 and/or backlight735 which may result in providing a smoothed or blurred graphical outputto a player. In this way, the portion of the display 737 beneath theraised perimeter region 731 may be perceived differently than a regionof the display 737 beneath the interior region 725. A gasket 741 mayfurther be positioned on top of the light pipe 739. The gasket 741 maybe formed of a rubber, plastic, or other material and may be configuredto protect the edge of a glass cover sheet 727 from impacts and/orbreaks. The gasket 741 may be, for example, a circular gasket and maysurround the perimeter of the display stack-up.

As described herein, a glass cover sheet 727 may be positioned on top ofthe gasket 741 (e.g., within the raised perimeter region 731) and/or ontop of the display 737 (e.g., outside of the raised perimeter region731). The glass cover sheet 727 may be any transparent, or partiallytransparent, material (including, but not limited to, glass) and mayprotect the display 737 from impacts and/or damage. The raised perimeterregion 731 may be configured to strengthen the glass cover sheet 727 andmay absorb, or otherwise mitigate, any potential damage from carelessplayers or other environmental factors.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example gaming device 800 including edge lightingand display outputs. A main cabinet 816 may be substantially similar tomain cabinets described herein. As described with respect to FIGS.7A-7C, a raised perimeter region 831 may be provided to surround aperimeter of a display panel 828. During the course of gameplay, certaingame elements may be provided on the display panel 828, as controlled bya game controller. For example, a game board may be provided on a secondplanar display region 828B, a graphic may be provided on a first planardisplay region 828A, and a title or game advertisement may be providedon a third planar display region 828C. Continuing the above example,edge lighting may surround each of the display regions to emphasizecertain areas or to draw a player's attention to the gaming device. Asthe edge lighting (corresponding to the raised perimeter region 831) islit from a common display, the game controller may treat an edge portiondifferently to display specialized colors, graphics, and/or animations.The displayed portions corresponding to the raised perimeter region 831may further be blurred or smoothed by, for example, a light pipe tofurther visually distinguish the edge region. In some cases, the raisedperimeter region may correspond to a 100-pixel width of the display,though any width of the raised perimeter region may be used.

As the edge lighting is emitted by a common display (e.g., display panel828) and is controlled by a controller, the need for separate LEDsand/or LED strips to produce an edge lighting effect may be eliminated.In this way, the game controller may control the portion of the displaypanel 828 that is directly underneath the raised perimeter region 831differently than the portions of the display panel 828 that are internalwith respect to the raised perimeter region 831.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict an example display assembly 950 and an examplemain cabinet 916 comprising an electrical connector (e.g., a firstelectrical connector and a second electrical connector) and anattachment mechanism (e.g., a first attachment mechanism and a secondattachment mechanism). The display assembly 950 depicted in FIG. 9A isdetached from the main cabinet 916 and FIG. 9B depicts the displayassembly 950 and the main cabinet 916 in an attached state.

With respect to FIG. 9A, a display assembly 950 may include a firstelectrical connector 951, a first attachment mechanism 949, a first sideattachment mechanism 953A, and a second side attachment mechanism 953B.As used herein, the first and second side attachment mechanisms 953A and953B may include paddles for connecting with the main cabinet 916. Thedisplay assembly 950 may interface, as discussed herein, with variouslocations on a main cabinet 916. The main cabinet 916 may include asecond electrical connector 917, a second attachment mechanism 913, afirst side cabinet attachment mechanism 919A, a second side cabinetattachment mechanism 919B, and a locking mechanism 915. The first sidecabinet attachment mechanism 919A and the second side cabinet attachmentmechanism 919B may comprise receiving elements that receive the firstside attachment mechanism 953A and the second side attachment mechanism953B.

The two electrical connectors (e.g., electrical connectors 951 and 917)may act as a pressure-based electrical contact system and may serve toelectrically couple the display assembly 950 with the main cabinet 916.In an example, a first electrical connector 951 disposed on the displayassembly 950 is electrically coupled to the display and variouselectronic components positioned within the display assembly 950 (e.g.,speakers and/or input devices). The first electrical connector 951 mayinclude various spring-loaded pins each comprising, for example, aplunger, a barrel, and a spring. When the display assembly 950 isuncoupled from the main cabinet 916, the first electrical connector 951may have spring-loaded pins in an extended position as the spring, in anun-compressed state, extending the barrel outward. When the displayassembly 950 is integrated with the main cabinet 916 (e.g., installed),the spring may be compressed by, for example, a normal force with themain cabinet 916.

The first electrical connector 951 may be formed as a grid, or series ofregions, each corresponding to a particular electronic engagement. In anexample, the first electrical connector 951 includes engagements formultiple power connections (e.g., 5 volts, 12 volts, 24 volts, andground), video in-or-out connections (e.g., a display connection, adigital visual interface (DVI) connection, a high-definition multimediainterface (HDMI) connection), a universal serial bus (USB) connection,an audio connection (e.g., digital or analog), and so on. In some cases,each particular engagement (e.g., an HDMI engagement) comprises multipleregions, or pins, from the first electrical connector 951.

The second electrical connector 917 formed on the main cabinet 916 mayinclude respective electronic engagements that correspond with theengagements on the first electrical connector 951. In some examples, thefirst electrical connector 951 includes spring-loaded pins and thesecond electrical connector 917 includes a receiver configured toreceive each spring-loaded pin (e.g., electrically-sensitive regions),though, in some cases, this arrangement may be reversed (e.g., thesecond electrical connector 917 may comprise spring-loaded pins). Insome cases, compressing the spring loaded pins from a contact with thesecond electrical connector 917 closes a circuit and results inelectricity flowing through the first electrical connector 951 and thesecond electrical connector 917. Though spring-loaded pins are discussedwith respect to the electrical connectors, any pressure contact systemfor electrically coupling the display assembly 950 with the main cabinet916 may be used.

In addition to the electrical connector (e.g., connectors 917 and 951),various mechanical connectors may connect the main cabinet 916 with thedisplay assembly 950. For example, the display assembly 950 includes afirst attachment mechanism 949 and the main cabinet 916 includes asecond attachment mechanism 913. As depicted in FIG. 9A, the firstattachment mechanism 949 is positioned on an external surface of thedisplay assembly 950, the external surface opposite from a surfacedefined by a glass cover sheet.

The first attachment mechanism 949 may be configured as a slot or portto receive a counterpart second attachment mechanism 913. The firstattachment mechanisms 949 may include springs or other biasingcomponents configured to press against the second attachment mechanism913 and may be attached, via internal cables, to one or both of a firstside attachment mechanism 953A or a second side attachment mechanism953B.

In an installed state, as depicted in FIG. 9B, the display assembly 950is attached with the main cabinet 916. While in the installed state, thefirst side attachment mechanism 953A may be coupled with the first sidecabinet attachment mechanism 919A, the second side attachment mechanism953B may be coupled with the second side cabinet attachment mechanism919B, and the first attachment mechanism 949 may be coupled with thesecond attachment mechanism 913. As depicted in FIG. 9B, the secondattachment mechanism 913 is coupled to a locking mechanism 915 andtransitions between two different states depending on whether thelocking mechanism 915 is locked or unlocked. When locked, the displayassembly 950 and the main cabinet 916 are securely fastened togethersuch that removal of the display assembly 950 from the main cabinet 916is prevented.

When the locking mechanism 915 is unlocked (e.g., by an operator), thesecond attachment mechanism 913 transitions to an unlocked state (e.g.,by swiveling around a rotation axis) and becomes decoupled with thefirst attachment mechanism 949. As described above, the first attachmentmechanism 949 may include a biasing mechanism at an internal portionthereof and the biasing mechanism may apply a force to separate thedisplay assembly 950 from the main cabinet 916.

As the locking mechanism 915 is unlocked, cables linked with the firstside cabinet attachment mechanism 919A and the second side cabinetattachment mechanism 919B may loosen, rotate, or cause rotation in anyor both of the paddles, or may otherwise change a state to decouple withthe respective paddles on the display assembly 950 (e.g., paddles 953Aand 953B). In some cases, the locking mechanism 915 only controls thefirst attachment mechanism 949 and the second attachment mechanism 913without affecting the paddle mechanisms. Thereafter, when an operatorgrips the display assembly 950, the display assembly may be easilyremovable from the main cabinet 916. This may allow for quickreplacement of any particular display assembly 950. Any number ofbrackets or structures (e.g., a rear wedge bracket) may be provided toensure a connection between the display assembly 950 and the maincabinet 916.

The paddles and/or attachment mechanisms may also include variousphysical features (e.g., chamfers, slopes, planes, protrusions, wedges,and so on) to assist in the alignment between the display assembly 950and the main cabinet 916. In some cases, a tactile and/or audiblefeedback (e.g., a snap sound or feeling) occurs when the displayassembly 950 is properly installed with the main cabinet 916. In somecases, the display assembly 950 and the main cabinet 916 are onlyinstalled when the locking mechanism 915 is in an unlocked position andare “locked” into place when the locking mechanism 915 transitions to alocked position.

While the disclosure has been described with respect to the figures, itwill be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure. Any variation and derivation from the above description andfigures are included in the scope of the present disclosure as definedby the claims. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used ina list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctivelist such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C”means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).Further, the term “exemplary” does not indicate that the describedexample is preferred or better than other examples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming device comprising: a main cabinet; agame controller positioned in the main cabinet and configured to controla game provided at the gaming device; and a display assembly coupled tothe main cabinet and comprising: a display panel configured to providegraphical outputs corresponding to the game; and a glass cover sheetextending over the display panel and defining: an interior regiondisposed above the display panel; and a raised perimeter region disposedabove a perimeter region of the display panel and at least partiallysurrounding the interior region, the raised perimeter region beingraised relative to the interior region.
 2. The gaming device of claim 1,wherein the game controller is configured to drive the perimeter regionof the display panel separately from remaining portions of the displaypanel to selectively illuminate the raised perimeter region of the glasscover sheet.
 3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the displayassembly further comprises: a light pipe disposed underneath the raisedperimeter region, the light pipe configured to diffuse light within theraised perimeter region; and a gasket positioned between the light pipeand the glass cover sheet.
 4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein thedisplay panel defines: a first planar display region; and a secondplanar display region offset from the first planar display region by anoffset angle.
 5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein: the offset angleis a first offset angle; the display assembly further defines a thirdplanar display region offset from the first planar display region by asecond offset angle; and the first planar display region issubstantially perpendicular with respect to a mounting surface of themain cabinet.
 6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the displayassembly further comprises: a base layer; a backlight positioned on thebase layer; a light pipe positioned on the display panel; and a gasketpositioned between the light pipe and the glass cover sheet.
 7. Thegaming device of claim 1, wherein the graphical outputs provided by thedisplay panel comprise: a first graphical output provided to theperimeter region of the display panel, the first graphical outputunderneath the raised perimeter region of the glass cover sheet; and asecond graphical output provided to a remaining portion of the displaypanel, the second graphical output underneath the interior region of theglass cover sheet.
 8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the displayassembly further comprises a touch sensor configured to detect an inputforce applied to the glass cover sheet.
 9. A gaming device comprising: ahousing; a display assembly comprising a display panel; a glass coversheet extending over the display panel and defining a raised perimeterregion surrounding the glass cover sheet; a display assembly housing atleast partially surrounding the display panel; a light pipe disposedunderneath the raised perimeter region, the light pipe configured todiffuse light within the raised perimeter region; and a gasketpositioned between the light pipe and the glass cover sheet.
 10. Thegaming device of claim 9, wherein the display panel defines: a firstplanar display region; a second planar display region offset from thefirst planar display region by a first offset angle; and a third planardisplay region offset from the first planar display region by a secondoffset angle.
 11. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein each of thefirst planar display region, the second planar display region, and thethird planar display region are at least partially defined by the raisedperimeter region of the glass cover sheet.
 12. The gaming device ofclaim 10, further comprising: a lock; and a biasing element configuredto provide a force to separate the display assembly from the housingwhen the lock is in an unlocked position.
 13. The gaming device of claim9, wherein the raised perimeter region reinforces the glass cover sheetagainst impact forces.
 14. The gaming device of claim 9, furthercomprising a game controller positioned within the housing, wherein thegame controller is configured to: cause the display panel to produce afirst graphical output corresponding to the raised perimeter region; andcause the display panel to produce a second graphical outputcorresponding to an interior region.
 15. The gaming device of claim 14,wherein: the first graphical output corresponds to edge lighting; andthe second graphical output corresponds to a game controlled by the gamecontroller.
 16. A display assembly configured to be coupled with a maincabinet of a gaming device, the display assembly comprising: a displaypanel configured to provide graphical outputs; a cover sheet extendingover the display panel and defining a raised perimeter region disposedabove a perimeter region of the display panel; and a light pipe disposedunderneath the raised perimeter region, the light pipe configured todiffuse light within the raised perimeter region.
 17. The displayassembly of claim 16, wherein the display panel defines: a first planardisplay region configured to provide a first graphical output; and asecond planar display region configured to provide a second graphicaloutput, the second planar display region offset from the first planardisplay region by an offset angle.
 18. The display assembly of claim 16,wherein the cover sheet is a glass cover sheet.
 19. The display assemblyof claim 17, wherein the first graphical output is separatelycontrollable from the second graphical output.
 20. The display assemblyof claim 16, further comprising a gasket positioned between the lightpipe and the cover sheet.